Due to cost and scale, fully automated robotic systems are impractical and inaccessible for many foodservice operations. However, we are seeing more automation in all kinds of kitchens with the advent of cobots. Here is a quick rundown on cobotics, along with 7 examples of how they’re being used in foodservice today.
WHAT ARE COBOTS?
• Cobots are robots designed to work alongside humans in shared workspaces.
• 4% of U.S. consumers have cobot coworkers.1
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Mayo Clinic’s Charter House
Senior Living
“Charlie” is a tablet-powered system that delivers meals and collects dishes on over two dozen floors, freeing up staff to spend more time with with residents.2
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Chipotle
Fast Casual
The automated makeline is Chipotle’s new solution to growing online orders, assembling items for staff to add lids and sides. Their “Autocado” system also preps guac at double speed.3
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Corewell Health
Healthcare
In partnership with Dexai, this Michigan-based healthcare group has implemented salad-prepping cobots that produce six different recipes and pump up salad production from 200 per shift to 317.4
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Compass Group HQ
Business & Industry
The serving and bussing “Keenbot” worked so well at their own facility, that Compass is now expanding its cobotics service to large clients in C&U and B&I.4
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Sweetgreen
Fast Casual
Ticket averages increased 10% at restaurants that featured Sweetgreen’s automated makeline. An additional 7 units are slated to open in 2024.5
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U.S. Department of Defense
Military
Ten new cobot sous chefs from Dexai will be stationed in U.S. military bases, assisting various meal prep tasks alongside foodservice personnel.6
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Various Foodservice Locations
Restaurants, Senior Living and More
An autonomous robot developed by Nala Robotics called “Spotless” uses video to target lingering food messes on dishes. It’s currently in operation in various foodservice venues.5
WHY COBOTICS IN FOODSERVICE?
Efficiency: Handles repetitive, time-consuming & physically demanding tasks quickly
Consistency: Reduces human error in prep and presentation ensuring quality every time
Safety: Minimizes human contact with food and hazardous (hot or sharp) objects
Scalability: Often built with user-friendly interface that’s reprogrammable for different tasks
1Datassentials 2024 Trends Report, December 2023.
2KIMT3 News, Charlie the robot starting to serve up meals to Charter House residents, Jun 2023.
3Restaurant Business, Chipotle to begin test of automated makeline, October 2023
4Food Management, Corewell Health explores automation’s potential to boost dining service efficiencies, May 2023
5Restaurant Business, Sweetgreen’s robotic makelines show 10% sales lift, March 2024
6Foodservice Director, Department of Defense plans to install robot chefs at military bases, February 2022.
Mayo Clinic’s Charter House Photo Source: Post Bulliten, On a roll: Robots Will and Charlie are Mayo Clinic’s newest tool, May 2023.
Chipotle Photo Source: Vebu Labs, Autocado
Corewell Health Photo Source: https://www.fastcasual.com/news/meet-alfred-a-qsr-robot-that-fits-existing-kitchens-recipes/
Compass Group HQ Photo Source: SoftBanks Robotics
Sweetgreen Photo Source: Time, Speedy Salads Sweetgreen Infinite Kitchen, October 2023
U.S. Department of Defense Photo Source: Defense Logistics Agency, How does the Department of Defense Employ a salad robot, July 2023)
Various Foodservice Locations Photo Source: Xtalks Food Industry Podcast, Interview with CEO of Nala Robotics Ajay Sunkara, January 2023
